The decision of the Indian government to ease the coronavirus-linked global travel restrictions imposed on those having OCI cards has given a big relief to many stranded overseas citizens of India across the world.
OCI card is issued to people of Indian origin globally which gives them almost all the privileges of an Indian national except for the right to vote, government service and buying agricultural land. The OCI card gives them a visa-free travel to India.
On Friday, the central government allowed certain categories of OCI card holders, who are stranded abroad, to come to the country. Earlier, according to the regulations issued by the Indian government in April, visas of foreign nationals and OCI cards were suspended as part of the new international travel restrictions following the COVID-19 pandemic.
This privilege of visa free travel to India was causing distress among a large number of people of Indian-origin and Indian citizens in countries like the US whose children were OCI card holders as they were born in this country.
Many Indian parents, several of whom lost their jobs as a result of the economic crisis due to coronavirus pandemic, but were not allowed to take the special evacuation flights of Air India from various US cities, took to social media and urged the Indian leaders to allow them to travel to India.
“This is a big relief for the OCI card holders. It was a humanitarian crisis in the making. I am pleased that the Indian Government listened to their voices,” said social activist Prem Bhandari, chairman of Jaipur Foot USA, who has been taking up the cause of the OCI card holders.
Dr Arathi Krishna, former deputy chairperson of NRI Forum of Karnataka government, who had been demanding this relaxation, many of the thousands of stranded OCI card holders in defferent parts of the world were in pursuading her to exert pressure on the authorities concerned for this much needed relaxation.
The restrictions on traveling of OCI card holders to India was issued by govt of India on March 13 in the wake of global outbreak of coronavirus pandemic.
She said: "Many parents who are Indian nationals could not travel for emergency purpose to India after repatriation flights started due to their minor children being OCI card holders. Many children who were OCI card holders could not travel to India to perform last rites when there was death in their family due to these restrictions"
"I was constantly pressurising and bringing these issues to the attention of ministry officials in External Affairs and Home Affairs departments. I was following up with Mr Dammu Ravi who is heading the COVID task force task firce in the ministry of overseas Indian affairs who took interest in solving this problem through his consistent efforts with MHA. Iam thankful to Fireign Secretary too for his efforts and concern and to MHA for making it easier now for OCI card holders to travel in repatriation flights with emergency reasons," she said.
The mutt belonging to Gowda Saraswat Brahmins (a Konkani-speaking community) has many followers in the coastal belt in the State, including Mangaluru and Udupi, and in other parts of the country.
Comments
Heartily Condolence for the great soul a big loss to Coastal GSB and his followers a non controversial Pontiff of present day, I was closely watched him while he use to visit coastal cities, A good preacher and great orator May his soul rest in peace
This day will come to every one even for ME & Quran mentions every-soul shall taste death.
EVEN for U Cheddi members
Even for BD members
Even for VHP or any Haters
That day U will be answerable to the one who gave life to U & ME.
That day U will be answerable for the deeds U did in this life.
That day your good deeds will benefit
That day your bad deeds will haunt YOU if not repented.
ALLAH, the true God who created all that exists accept honest repentance except associating partners in worshiping with HIM.
ALLAH has prescribed LiFE and death and it will come on its prescribed time... U can do whatever evil but a day will come just like this day for Sudheendra.
Recognizing the TRUE GOD and repenting him and promising not to commit the crime will save you from the punishment of the one who gave this life.
God is GREAT , God is Most Merciful.
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